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Ozil eyeing improved showing

Mesut Ozil is aware of the need to raise his game during his second year at Arsenal, with the German now fully settled.

Arsene Wenger pulled off one of the signings of the summer in 2013 as he convinced a man widely regarded as one of Europe's finest creative influences to swap life at Real Madrid for that at Emirates Stadium.

Ozil did so in a club-record £42.5million deal, with a hefty price tag and a big reputation placing considerable pressure on his shoulders from the off.

Things started positively, but Ozil's form dipped along with that of Arsenal as a title challenge fell away late on.

He was, however, able to help secure FA Cup glory, ending a nine-year wait for major silverware, before heading off to land the World Cup with his Germany international colleagues.

Now back in England, Ozil said of the season and challenges which lie ahead: \"There is room for improvement. I need to have more shots at goal and improve my headers.

\"Winning the World Cup with Germany this summer was a great achievement but that success has to go on.

\"I am really looking forward to my second season in England because the Premier League is no longer new to me and I can bring in all my experience from my first year at Arsenal.

\"I feel great in London with Arsenal, even though at times there has been some criticism.

\"Sometimes the criticism is fair, sometimes not. But I know how the coach Arsene Wenger and the fans rate me.\"

Working alongside Ozil again this season will be new Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta, a man who feels another Premier League title push is a must for those in the red half of north London.

The Spanish schemer said: \"The league is very, very important.

\"It shows the consistency of the team, the club and the good performance of the players.

\"It is a title I would love to win and considering how tough this year is going to be, it would be even more special.

\"Obviously the Champions League is a very special one and the cups are important, but the domestic league shows where you are on a weekly basis.\"